In an ever-changing world of social media and web collaboration, tools for user interaction and engagement are becoming increasingly prevalent. Many non-profits have embraced features such as forums, blogs, user profiles, and photo/video sharing as a means to extend their reach.

Your organization may have implemented any number of social tools in the past, or may be considering doing so in the future, but with these decisions often come concerns about how to best address your audience’s diverse needs. These needs may relate to accessibility and the user-friendliness of your site for those with auditory, visual, cognitive or mobility impairments...

June 20, 2011

Quick question: When was the last time you saw a character with a disability on TV?

If you're a fan of Glee or CSI, perhaps it was quite recently. If not, it may have been a while -- characters with disabilities comprise just 1% of primetime network TV roles.

In fact, only six of the 587 series-regular roles on scripted network primetime television last fall had disabilities, according to a recent study. And only one of those six was portrayed by a disabled actor.

People with disabilities continue to challenge our assumptions and make remarkable strides in many areas of life. But they remain largely absent from the area in which their presence could benefit us the most: entertainment.

June 17, 2011

National Association of the Deaf Files Disability Civil Rights Lawsuit against Netflix

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Plaintiffs Charge that Netflix Violates the Americans with Disabilities Act by Not Providing Equal Access to its “Watch Instantly” Streaming Content

The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), the nation’s premier civil rights organization of deaf and hard of hearing individuals, announced the filing of a major federal lawsuit against Netflix today in U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts, Western Division in Springfield, MA (Case No. 3:11-cv-30168). The lawsuit charges the entertainment giant with violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide closed captioning for most of its “Watch Instantly” movies and television streamed on the Internet.

The New York Times has described Netflix as the “only major player in the online-only video subscription business.” Netflix has over 60% of the streamed video services market share.

An estimated 36 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing. The deaf and hard of hearing community has repeatedly expressed concerns—via letterspeetitionsbllogsanssoociamedia—to Netflix about its failure to provide equal access to “Watch Instantly.”

“We have tried for years to persuade Netflix to do the right thing and provide equal access to all content across all platforms. They chose not to serve our community on an equal basis; we must have equal access to the biggest provider of streamed entertainment. As Netflix itself acknowledges, streamed video is the future and we must not be left out,” said NAD President Bobbie Beth Scoggins...

June 16, 2011

An art exhibit featuring the work of students with disabilities from across the country kicks off this week in Washington, D.C. before heading out on a national tour.

The exhibit features 102 pieces — everything from paintings to sculptures and photographs — produced by students from each state and the District of Columbia. The artwork was selected from more than 4,700 entries from students ages 5 to 15 by a panel of judges that included artists and art educators.

Half of the winning artists have disabilities, but the work of all students — two representing each state — will be displayed side by side in an effort to support inclusion in the arts, according to organizers from VSA and CVS Caremark.

The exhibit will be on display at Union Station in Washington, D.C. until June 26. Dates and locations for other stops of the traveling exhibit are still being arranged, organizers said.

VSA — the group behind the exhibit — was started by Jean Kennedy Smith, a sister to President John F. Kennedy, and focuses on increasing opportunities in the arts for people with disabilities.

Picture above is a mixed media piece by Kory, 12, from Annapolis, Md. Kory's piece is one of the works featured in VSA's art exhibit.

This first-of-its-kind app for MS offers individuals a convenient and effective tool to manage the ever-changing course of the disease. "I am proud that MSAA is able to offer this innovative application to the MS community. My MS Manager provides a one-stop shop for an individual to not only monitor their MS, but also has the capability to include overall health information," states MSAA President and CEO Douglas G. Franklin. "It is exciting for MSAA to be utilizing this new technology allowing us to help more people in more places."

My MS Manager allows an individual to input and store:

Comprehensive medical records

Contact information of your healthcare team

Descriptions of MS flare-ups, tracking their duration, frequency, and intensity

May 31, 2011

PSA Featuring Glee Cast Member Equates the R-Word with the N-word and other Slurs

AAPD is excited that the campaign to reshape popular opinion about usage of the r-word has a new tool to wield. In an appropriately uncomfortable PSA from the campaign to "Spread the Word to End the Word," Lauren Potter, a self-advocate who plays Becky Jackson on "Glee" and as such accepted AAPD's 2011 Image Award, states "it is not acceptable to call me a r----- or call yourself or your friends r-----ed when they do something foolish." Titled "Not Acceptable," this new PSA makes it clear that the R-word is no different from other slurs which are widely recognized as unacceptable. The clip features people of various minority groups saying it is not acceptable to use the slurs that were once commonly used toward them.

Controversial for its usage of offensive slurs, the PSA aired during the season finale of Fox's "Glee" last Tuesday and is slated to be shown on a number of other networks including CBS, MTV, USA Network, and the Turner Networks TNT, TBS, truTV and CNN. However, out of sensitivity for families with young children, it will only be shown after 9pm and within programmng that is rated TV-14 or higher.

While we still have a long way to go, I am encouraged when looking back over the last few years of news and media around the R-Word. There has been real progress in reshaping the public's thoughts and language regarding people with intellectual disabilities, and I think this PSA will go a long way toward educating people, young and old, about respect. For a brief review of our progress and ways that AAPD has engaged on this issue, check out the sites below.

On Thursday, May 12th, The Arc is proud to co-host the nationwide screening of a new film, Wretches & Jabberers, which follows two men with autism who embark on a global journey to change attitudes about disability, intelligence and communication. Self-advocates Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette's travels are chronicled by Academy Award-winning director Gerardine Wurzburg, and we don’t want you to miss an opportunity to see it!

To meet the demand to see the film after its initial screenings in April, a nationwide theatrical screening event was born – “100 CITIES. ONE NIGHT FOR AUTISM.” On Thursday, May 12th at 7:30pm, Wretches & Jabberers will be playing in 100 cities - probably one in your backyard - all to raise awareness about autism. To find out where this film is playing near you, to purchase advance tickets, or for more information, visit www.wretchesandjabberers.org

March 07, 2011

With a week until its Leadership Gala on March 15th at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center in Washington, AAPD is expecting to sell out of tickets for their annual Gala TODAY. The AAPD Gala draws the leaders from the disability, corporate, political, religious and civil rights communities from around the country.

This year the event will celebrate the work of disability advocates with Spirit of the ADA Awards going to Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, Jr. and Mrs. Cheryl Sensenbrenner, Leadership Awards going to Jessica Lehman and Catharine McNally, and the Image Award going to the Cast and Creative Team behind the Fox Television show “Glee.”

Reports indicate there has been a particularly high interest in participating in this cross-disability celebration this year with tickets selling out at record pace.

February 28, 2011

Designed by fashion designer Norma Kamali and honoring disability leadership including the Cast and and Creative Team behind the Fox Television Show, "Glee," the 2011 Gala tickets are selling like hotcakes.

December 10, 2010

Signmark, a Deaf Rapper from Finland, came to New York City to do a "Silent Shout," an action for human rights connecting people from around the world who are experiencing oppression. Signmark says he was drawn to rap and hip-hop because he identifies with the feelings of being over looked and needing to fight to be heard. He has been traveling the globe using music and sign from the US to Kazakhstan, from Japan to New Zealand. His music features strong, deep beats and an optimistic message. His performances are energetic and draw diverse crowds. The first deaf rapper to be offered a record deal, he has released two albums and has started a business focused on education and media to counteract prejudice.

Frankie Mastrangelo is the moderator for both the Justice For All (JFA) national email listerv as well as for the JFActivist blog. She is also an organizer for the American Association of People with Disabilities in Washington, D.C.